Tag: HarborWalk Gardens

Getting Ready for the Gloucester Garden Tour

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Jay Ramsey Farm Creek © Kim Smith 2013

Jay Ramsey (right) and crew Mauricio (left) and Mike (center)

On Tuesday, Jay Ramsey and his hard-working and dedicated crew from Farm Creek Landscaping, Mike and Mauricio, spent the morning whipping the HarborWalk Gardens into shape for Saturday’s Gloucester Garden Tour. I will be giving guided tours of the butterfly gardens at the HarborWalk on Saturday at 1:00 and at 2:00. The tours will begin under the Tulip Trees in St. Peter’s Square.

Purple Prairie Clover Dalea purpurea © Kim Smith 2013 copy

Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea)

One of  the more fanciful North American wildflowers that you’ll see on the tour is the Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea), which is just beginning its florescence; typically July through August. With elegant, thread-like ferny foliage and charming one-inch flowerheads, this member of the Legume Family (Fabaceae) also adds nitrogen to the soil. The seeds of Dalea purpurea are enjoyed by many songbirds and the nectar-rich rose-purple and gold flowers are attractive to myriad species of butterflies and bees. Purple Prairie Clover grows well in average garden loom, as well as sandy soil, and it is often used for erosion control. Dalea purpurea grows a deep taproot and, once established, it is nearly impervious to drought.

Visit the Gloucester Garden Tour website for information on ticket sales.

Coneflower and Bee -2 © Kim Smith 2013Echinacea and Bee at the HarborWalk

Come Join Me for a Guided Tour of the Butterfly Gardens at the HarborWalk

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

Please come join me on Saturday, July 13th, at 1:00 and at 2:00, for guided tours of the butterfly gardens at the Gloucester HarborWalk. The guided tour is included in the cost of the ticket for the Gloucester Garden Tour. Please feel free to email me with any questions about the butterfly garden tour at the HarborWalk at kimsmithdesigns@hotmail.com.

One of my favorites, and in bloom now at the HarborWalk Gardens, is the stunning North American native wildflower Culver’s Root or Veronicastrum virginicum. The plant typically grows to five feet and, when in flower, creates a lovely, airy candelabrum effect. Culver’s Root prefers full sun and moist well-drained soil. When I was there checking on the gardens several days ago all manner of bees and butterflies were nectaring from the diminutive florets of the spikey racemes of the Veronicastrum.

Veronicastrum virginicum Culver's Root ©Kim Smith 2013Veronicastrum virginicum and Cabbage White Butterfly, Gloucester HarborWalk Butterfly Garden

Purchase Your Tickets Today for the Upcoming Gloucester Garden Tour!

Posted on by Kimsmithdesigns

We hope you can join us and please help spread the word. The funds raised will go directly towards maintaining the Fishermen’s Wives Memorial and Gardens and the butterfly gardens at the HarborWalk. The tour is hosted by GenerousGardeners and the Harvard Club of the North Shore. I am going to be at the HarborWalk Gardens throughout the day to answer all your habitat gardening questions. And I will be giving two guided tours, the first at 1:00 and again at 2:00.

To purchase tickets.

Today is the last day you can purchase tickets at the 20.00 price. Tomorrow they go up to 25.00. For the first 50 ticket holders, free parking at Stage Fort Park is included.

hummingbird

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird ~ Susan Kelly Photo

Susan shares this photo of a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird that frequents her garden. If you want female hummingbirds to choose your garden to build their nests nearby, I recommend putting your hummingbird feeders out early, in March and April. Northward migrating hummingbirds are in need of nourishment by they time they reach our shores. Their diet consist primarily of small insects; there are few insects on the wing and even fewer nectar plants blooming. I place my hummingbird feeders above early blooming Red Riding Hood Tulips. Although the tulips do not provide nectar, the red flowers lure them to the hummingbird feeders.

A note about hummingbird feeders. Never add red food coloring or use honey to sweeten the water. To make your own sugar solution, combine 1 part pure granulated sugar to 4 parts water. Clean you hummingbird feeders weekly with a 50/50 combination of vinegar and water; more frequently in warm weather.

new Garden Tour Flyer